Top Beaches Near Puerto Plata: Cabarete

Cabarete Beach

Just 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) long, Cabarete is a thriving, thumping seaside destination.  A far cry from the sleepy fishing village it once was just a couple short decades ago, Cabarete today shines as the destination for independent tourism on the north coast. Hugging a simple two-lane highway are thousands of hotel rooms, dozens of cafés, bars, restaurants, and a wide expanse of palm tree-studded sandy beach. Days in Cabarete are bustling, warm, and sunny; its nights are nothing but hot.

Cabarete was transformed in the late 1980s after area beaches were discovered to have ideal conditions for windsurfing and kiteboarding. The town is now a haven for these new adventure sports, as well as hiking in the nearby hills. Of course, lounging on a reclining beach chair with a drink in hand is a perfectly respectable way to pass time on the sandy expanses.

Outdoor Dining along Cabarete Beach

Where to Eat and Drink

Panadería Dick

Much like with their cured meats, Germans don’t loaf around when it comes to bread – Panadería Dick is the best bakery and pastry shop in Cabarete. Right in the middle of town, this restaurant’s breakfasts run around RD$100 for eggs, toast, and coffee. RD$50-100; Thu-Tue 7am-6pm; C/ Principal; 571-0612; panarolfdick@yahoo.com

José O'Shays

There is no beachside watering hole better known or more perfectly located than José O’Shays. It might be the quintessential Irish pub, except for the fact that its draft beer is Presidente and it serves pitchers of caipirinhas alongside Irish Car Bombs. The sea breeze and crashing waves outside compete with sports on a half-dozen televisions, watched by expats of all stripes. RD$100-450; C/ Principal in the center of town; 571-0775; www.joseoshay.com

Jose O'Shay's at Night

Bambú Bar

A deceivingly quiet restaurant during the day, Bambú cranks up the music after dark, ascribing to the “if you blast it, they will come” philosophy of nighttime entertainment. The party, lasting late into the night, spills out of the tiered dance floor onto the beach, where sweaty revelers take breathers and quaff Presidente. RD$100-300; restaurant 9am-11pm, bar until very late; C/ Principal; 982-4549

Friendly Cabarete Locals

Where to Sleep

Casa Blanca

Cool and Canadian-owned, this budget hotel has splendid tropical garden and delicious pool. See about the rooftop pad for 360-degree views of the beach and countryside. US$20-60; 113 C/ Principal next to Janet’s; 571-0934 or 935-0809

Kite Beach Hotel

The upscale Kite Beach Hotel offers spacious accommodations decorated with modern sculpture and paintings. Guests enjoy the on-site pool and restaurant and take comfort in the 24-hour security and gated parking lot. Special rates are available for kite-surfers getting lessons with Kitexcite (see below). US$59-US$600; just east of Extreme Hotel; 571-0878; kitebeachhotel@gmail.com; www.kitebeachhotel.com;

What to Do

Kitebeach

Kiteboarding

Quite the sight from happy hour on the beach, the brightly colored kites of boarders across the bay from Cabarete Beach contrast with the deep blue color of the Caribbean waters. Kiteboarding, almost unheard of 15 years ago, is quickly gaining interest and popularity. Conditions at Cabarete are near perfect during almost the entire year for kiteboarding. Bozo beach, between Kitebeach and Cabarete Beach, is also a kiteboarding hotspot. www.cabaretekiteboarding.com

Windsurfing

Windsurfing appeared in Cabarete in the 1980s as the sport began to experience international growth. The beaches around Cabarete offer that rare environment perfect for windsurfing: good winds and calm surf. Windsurfing season runs from December through April, when waves are the best, and again from June through September, with placid waters. Various companies offer windsurfing rentals and lessons.

Kiteboarding & Windsurfing Companies

Kitexcite: Kite & Surf Center at the western entrance of Cabarete; Stefan (manager) 829-962-4556; http://www.kitexcite.com/

Bozo Beach Kite Club: 571-0285; 866-1754; info@noworkteamcabarete.com;

www.noworkteamcabarete.com

Cabarete Coffee Company (CCC)

CCC caters to the responsible tourist, offering full-day coffee (US$100) and cacao (US$75) tours into the mountains. Beyond exploring the processing of both crops, the tours also include meals and transport. The cacao tour is local, taking place in the mountains by Cabarete, while the coffee option removes tourists to the Jarabacoa-area farm of Julia Alvarez, author of In the Time of the Butterflies. CCC began Haitian relief efforts after the earthquake and also offers internships to local youth. C/ Principal; 571-0919; info@cabaretecoffeecompany.com; www.cabaretecoffeecompany.com

For a full description of where to stay, eat and have fun, check out the complete Cabarete chapter in Dominican Republic (Other Places Travel Guide)!   

Top Beaches near Puerto Plata: Introduction

"Cristo Redentor" Overlooking Puerto Plata

Plenty of travelers fly into Puerto Plata’s Gregorio Luperon airport (POP) to bypass Santo Domingo – a great idea for a short stay aimed just at the beaches that might not include the big city. But where to go once you arrive? The sandy spots in Puerto Plata itself are nothing to write home about. Below are three of our favorite beaches in the area, which we’ll profile over the next month. They’re all within an hour’s drive of Puerto Plata: Sosua, Cabarete, and Playa Encuentro.

Sosua

Sosua is the first big town east of Puerto Plata. Founded in the 40s as a sanctuary for Jewish refugees from Europe, it’s now turned into a beach town with a very distinct European influence. There are two beaches in the city, but the larger, called Playa Sosua, is a wonderful place to spend a day or two. As it’s located inside a bay, the water is calm - perfect for a leisurely swim. Snorkeling is therefore especially popular, as the reef reaches almost to the shore. Behind the beach is a long stretch of stone boardwalk lined with vendors hawking souvenirs and dishes from across the pond, like wurst and schnitzel.

Playa Alicia (a.k.a. Playa Santa) of Sosua

Cabarete

The rowdiest beach town in the country, Cabarete is a party day and night. Not to be forgotten, however, is the quality of its beach. The sand curves languorously, though the waves here are a bit stronger than in Sosua. The town’s bars, restaurants, and nightlife back up directly onto the sand, so that you can take in the view while you enjoy fresh fish, a Santo Libre, and the people-watching.

Seashell Salesman in Cabarete

Playa Encuentro

Unlike the other two, Encuentro is not part of any town. In fact, it’s a bit isolated, which is why we love it. The strong waves are some of the best on the island for surfing, and the sand is often deserted save a few vendors serving just-caught-and-fried fish with refreshing Presidentes. It’s just you, sand, and sea. The beach is accessible by public transport (like the others), but getting there with your own car is much more convenient.

Escape from Punta Cana!

Your highly anticipated vacation to an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic has finally arrived. With a bottomless umbrella drink in hand, you hit up the decadent buffets, try a trapeze course, and tell yourself that you don’t need sunscreen for that Caribbean sun because it’s all about getting that base tan. Then hour 48 hits, and that Top 40 mix for the water aerobics class is starting to fry your brain, and you forget whether you are in the Dominican Republic or some other tropical island. Not to worry, there is a way out so that you truly remember your vacation to the DR. Here’s how to escape from Punta Cana:

Get Away for the Day

La Basilica

When investors first started to develop Punta Cana in the late 60s, they found infertile land adorned by limestone outcroppings and sand patches, but not much else. Besides a few small farms and fishing villages, the area was undeveloped jungle.

Much has changed since then, as the mass-appeal resorts of Bavaro continue to extend farther north up the coast and the luxury resorts of Cap Cana extend further south. Despite all of this development, there are few places visitors can go within Punta Cana since the region is saturated with all-inclusives that require strict reservations for entry. However there are a few towns that are suitable for a day trip:

Higüey

Known for La Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia, Higüey is a bustling town that recently underwent a beautification campaign, resulting in many more green spaces and trees across the city center. Dedicated in 1972, the Basílica is one of the most important houses of worship for Catholics in the country, and the most visited site for religious pilgrims on the island. Built in the contemporary-utilitarian Dominican style of architecture (that is, entirely of cement), its parabolic arches represent a modern twist on the typically gaudy Catholic cathedrals. A visit to the Basílica paired with some local eats at one of the restaurants along Av. Hermanas Trejo, such as Cotubanamá or D’Yira Restaurant, make for the perfect afternoon outing.

Casa Museo Ponce de Leon

San Rafael de Yuma/Boca de Yuma

Simply called Yuma by the locals, this area caught the interest of Spanish explorer Ponce de León in 1503 because of its proximity to the navigable Río Yuma. León played a key role in subjugation of the local Taínos, for which he was rewarded with the title of Governor in this region of the colony. Today’s Yuma is a minor town, where the main attraction is the Casa Museo de Ponce de León (Entrance RD$50; to arrive, when entering the town of Yuma, veer left at the fork and turn left on Carretera Los Jobitos just before the cemetery, where there is a sign for Casa Museo de Ponce de León. Follow the road about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) down and the museum will be on the right; Mon–Sat 7am–5pm).

After taking in the 16^th century architecture and belongings of Leon’s home, head 20 minutes west to Boca to Yuma, a sleepy fishing village set on tremendous cliffs overlooking the sea. What this town lacks in terms of entertainment, it makes up for in charm and home-style cuisine.  Try one of the many fish-fry huts along the coastline. Or, before entering the town, turn left at the sign for Restaurant Bahia Azul, which serves fresh-caught fish with hearty portions of rice, beans, and fried plantains. If you decide you want to stay, try Hotel El Viejo Pirata (RD$1200; When the main road through town ends at the coast, turn right at the hotel's sign, after which the hotel will be on the right; 780-3236/804-3151/780-3464; nancy.felix@hotmail.com; hotelelviejopirata@hotmail.com).

 Take off for a night

Kids Playing at Costa Esmeralda

Costa Esmeralda

The placid aquamarine waters that gently lap virgin white sand catapults this beach to among the top in the country. Accessible by boat, horseback, or scenic drive, the beach is set in a protected bay, leaving the water smooth and clear with few waves. Development has yet to touch the pristine sands of this beach, meaning Esmeralda has no accommodations. There are no stores or restaurants nearby, so bring your own snacks (and rum).

To reach the beach by foot from the nearby town of Miches, walk east along the beach and ask a local to show you the footpath that cuts through the forest to the other side of the point (seen to the east of Playa Arriba). The walk takes about an hour and a half. Be safe and go in a group and don’t carry valuables as the trail is isolated. By car, drive east toward the town of La Mina for about 8.8 kilometers (5.5mi). Just beyond La Mina, find the turnoff to Playa Esmeralda, marked by a Brugal sign. Follow the dirt road and go left at the fork until the road runs parallel to the beach (veer right). Continue until reaching the far eastern end of the beach, which is the best section for swimming. This area is just past the Marina de Guerra office. Boat and horseback riding trips to Costa Esmeralda are also available through Coco Loco Hotel (US$15-25, which includes breakfast; located on Playa Arriba; follow C/ Pedro A. Morel de Santa Cruz toward the coast and then make a right at the beach; 886-8278, 974-8182), which is also one of the better options for lodging. 

Antique Sailboats at Bayahibe

One of the other great natural attractions in the area is Montana Rodonda (located about 17 kilometers (11 miles) east of Miches). It features a 360-degree view of the coast, two lagoons, verdant surrounding hills, and electric green rice fields.

Bayahibe

The small but quite lively fishing town of Bayahibe is located on the edge of the Parque Nacional del Este, making it an excellent place to overnight while enjoying the islands, caves, and trails of the beautiful park. The attractive town meanders around the placid bay, offering a number of attractions: an archaeological dig with artifacts dating back over 4,000 years, shallow fresh springs with unique histories, locally-run jewelry and art workshops, and historical sailboats still in use today. 

A Local Musician Enjoying Bayahibe's Sunsets

After spending the day exploring the natural wonders of the national park or savoring some perfectly grilled lobster, rest at Hotel Bayahibe (RD$1300-2000; C/ Principal, 833-0159/0045; hotelbayahibe@hotmail.com; www.hotelbayahibe.net) or rent a cabana from Cabanas La Bahía (RD$800-RD$1200; 710-0881).

Dancing in Santo Domingo 

Going Rogue

You got a taste of what the DR has to offer, and you can’t imagine spending one more day stuck in resort confines. Whether you are looking for hang-gliding in the pine-covered mountains, incredible live music and night-life in Santo Domingo or a quiet boutique hotel near virgin beaches, the DR has got it all.  Find out more from Dominican Republic (Other Places Travel Guide).